Linux Kernel 2.6.36 Gets AppArmor - page 2

Ubuntu Succeeds where Novell Failed

October 21, 2010

By
Sean Michael Kerner

In addition to AppArmor, the 2.6.36 kernel includes the new fanotify file notification interface. While fanotify is just now appearing in the Linux kernel, Red Hat is already set to include the technology.

"Red Hat engineers lead the implementation of fanotify," Burke said. "In fact, it is included in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6."

Fanotify isn't the only new Linux 2.6.36 features that Red Hat is including in its enterprise Linux. Burke noted that there are a lot of features already backported into Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.

"The majority of KVM features as well as hardware enablement are key examples of this," Burke said.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 is currently at its release candidate stage with general availability expected before the end of 2010.

Ubuntu Thinks This is a Transitional Kernel

From Ubuntu's perspective, the 2.6.36 kernel is a transitional kernel.

"The 10.10 release shipped with a 2.6.35 kernel and 11.04 will most likely be 2.6.37, or possibly .38 depending on timing," Graner said.

Graner also noted that the new Intel Intelligent Power Sharing support for the new i5/i7 cores in the 2.6.36 kernel is also noteworthy as is a number of virtual machine related desktop responsiveness patches.

"We see lots of performance issues when writing to slow media (USB sticks) and when the system is under memory pressure," Graner said. "Hopefully this will help mediate that problem."